Provision #824: Rest and Relaxation
Laser Provision
One week from today I go back to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota for a reevaluation of my brain condition and progress. There are two possibilities, described below, and a lot rides on what they discover and determine. So the next few weeks will be Provisions light, with a lot of laughter and fun. I’m taking time for rest and relaxation. What about you?
LifeTrek Provision
It’s hard for someone who loves to work, and work hard, to let go of a fond project like writing a full-blown weekly Provision, but that’s what I’m going to do for the next few weeks as we get ready to go back to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. They say there are two possibilities: either the damage that my brain has suffered cannot be mended with further immune suppression or my immune system is still acting up and behind some of my ongoing memory struggles. We’re hoping for the latter option, since, in that event, additional immune suppression may result in more rapid healing.
Either way, it is good to know that my brain is continuing to mend and find its way back to more normal functionality, especially as it relates to memory. They tell us that rest and relaxation, especially in the form of sleep, and enjoyable games that work my memory, are the best things I can be doing right now. So no more thinking deeply about the substance and meaning of life for my weekly Provision!
Rather the usual fare, I hope you will enjoy reading a series of true, short, and funny stories that I plan on sending out instead. The stories come from the book, 1,000 Unforgettable Senior Moments: Of Which We Could Remember Only 246 by Tom Friedman. As you read, don’t forget the famous opening line of Ella Wheeler Wilcox’s poem, Solitude (1883): “Laugh, and the world laughs with you.” And so the series begins with the story that cracked me up the most:
“When General George Metaxas, the dictator of Greece, was inspecting one of his air bases in the 1930s, he was invited to pilot a seaplane. Pleased to do so, because he was a pilot and the aircraft was so unique, Metaxas took the plane up for a spin. But when the base commander, who accompanied the general on the flight, realized that Metaxas was about to land on the runway, he diplomatically suggested that it might be better to land on the water, given that they were in a seaplane or, essentially, a flying boat. Metaxas apologized for his absentmindedness and made a safe landing. At that point Metaxas arose from the captain’s seat, thanked the commander for his tact, opened the door, stepped out, and promptly fell into the sea.”
Coaching Inquiries: What kind of things make you laugh? How could you bring more laughter into your life and the lives of others? What’s stopping you from doing so today?
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LifeTrek Readers’ Forum (selected feedback from the past week)
Editor’s Note: The LifeTrek Readers’ Forum contains selections from the comments and materials sent by the readers of LifeTrek Provisions. They do not necessarily reflect the perspective of LifeTrek Coaching International. To submit your comment, use our Feedback Form or Email Bob.
Resurrection Day by Reggie Harris ©2011
You can open your heart to the rising sun
Cause it’s all right… it’s over!
Been a long, long journey / but now that’s done
And it’s all right … it’s over.
Remember how you cried,
“Just one more day!”
The pain so deep inside that all you could say
Will I get over? Can I get over?
The story unfolds on your weary face
But that’s all right… it’s over!
Somehow you made it though,
You found the grace to say it’s all right…It’s over!
The light is shining now for all to see
The pain is fading
You can set your heart free
Now that it’s over. You know it’s over.
Chorus: You can raise your voice
And let the angels sing.
You can rise right up!
and learn to spread your wings!
Hallelujah! A new day is here….
You’ve got a new race to run…
Resurrection day… Resurrection day…
Resurrection day… Resurrection Day!!
You are rising.
I just wanted to say “Thank you” for including me in your list of folks who have been a part of your life through your life-threatening ordeal over the past year. I teared up a little thinking about it. I care so much for you, and I was afraid and bewildered when we heard the news. I really didn’t know what to say, which may account for why I didn’t step in and volunteer to do things for you like I should have. For that, I will always second guess my lack of action.
But I have prayed and thought a lot for you and for Megan over the past year. That was certainly a small contribution, but one I hope I can build upon in the future. I hope you know I will always be there for you if you have a need, as best I am able, given the hundreds of miles that separate us. Please stop by anytime you are in the area. We’ll have more room next time, since we are about to move to larger digs. I hope we get to see the two of you soon!
Thanks, Bob, for your continuing inspiration throughout your challenging journey. And thanks so much for your recent gift to our inner-city ministry work, here in Chicago: one of your old stomping grounds! There are so many aches in our wounded world. Your positive spirit and both your and Megan’s spectacular love are inspiring.
May you be filled with goodness, peace, joy, and health.
Bob Tschannen-Moran, MCC, BCC
President, LifeTrek Coaching International, www.LifeTrekCoaching.com
CEO & Co-Founder, Center for School Transformation, www.SchoolTransformation.com
Past President, International Association of Coaching, www.CertifiedCoach.org
Author, Evocative Coaching: Transforming Schools One Conversation at a Time, Online Retailers
Address: 121 Will Scarlet Lane, Williamsburg, VA 23185-5043
Phone: (757) 345-3452 • Fax: (772) 382-3258
Skype: LifeTrek • Twitter: @LifeTrekBob
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